Vehicle tailgate with supplemental tailgate pivot release

ABSTRACT

A tailgate for a vehicle has a supplemental tailgate that retracts within the tailgate and is extendable therefrom in order to provide bed extender, box extender and step assist functions. The supplemental tailgate includes a pivotable molding, which mounts on a movable frame portion, and a latching assembly. When pivoted, the pivotable molding releases the latching assembly, allowing the supplemental tailgate to be moved to various extended positions. When the supplemental tailgate is in its stowed position, the pivotable molding may be aligned with the top surface of the tailgate in order to provide an esthetically pleasing appearance and provide paint scratch resistance. When the movable frame portion is in an essentially fully extended position, it may be rotated relative to the tailgate in order to provide the box extender and assist step functions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of United States provisional patentapplications identified as Application No. 60/515,521, filed Oct. 29,2003, and Application No. 60/515,370, filed Oct. 29, 2003, and are bothincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle tailgates, and moreparticularly to vehicle tailgates that include a multifunction assemblyextendable therefrom.

Conventionally, pickup trucks include a tailgate at the back of a bedthat closes off a cargo box. Often times, the truck bed is not longenough to hold the cargo, so truck bed extenders have been developed.The truck bed extenders work in conjunction with the tailgate in orderto provide additional length to the bed. Some designs for pickup truckbed extenders have flush mounted extenders that are stowed in thetailgate when not in use. Being out of sight when not in use presents amore attractive vehicle, but these designs also require a separatehandle to disengage latching mechanisms, which can be very inconvenientfor the operator to reach and unnecessarily complicate the tailgaterelease mechanisms. Other designs for bed extenders mount to the outsideof the tailgate, which may be convenient for deployment and avoidconcerns with deployment mechanisms, but they tend to interfere withcargo space in the box since the bed extender, when not in use,protrudes into the box. Moreover, it is typical for the vehicle operatorto employ the extender only occasionally, so it is undesirable to havethe extender exposed at all times, which detracts from theattractiveness of the vehicle.

Another drawback with common bed extenders is that a desirable featureof conventional tailgates may be lost. That is, a conventional tailgatehas an ornamental plastic tailgate molding mounted along its topsurface. It is meant to provide a surface along which cargo can be slidinto the bed without the concern of rusting due to paint being scrapedoff.

Additionally, it is desirable to have a bed extender that can provideother functions in addition to a bed extender, such as a box extenderand an assist step. Such functions may be provided with simple ergonomicoperation of the assembly, while still allowing for an attractiveappearance for the vehicle when the bed extender is stowed duringperiods of non-use.

Thus, it is desirable to have a vehicle tailgate with a bed extenderthat overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its embodiments, the present invention contemplates a tailgateassembly for use with a motor vehicle having a pair of spaced, generallyvertical side walls and a generally horizontal bed extendingtherebetween. The tailgate assembly has a tailgate frame including arear panel and a front panel adapted to pivotally mount generallybetween the side walls and being operable in a generally horizontal openposition, and with the tailgate frame including a left top portion and aspaced right top portion that define a gap therebetween. The tailgateassembly may also have a supplemental tailgate including a guide systemmounted generally between the rear panel and the front panel, a frameassembly having two telescoping supports extendable from and retained bythe guide system, a cross member connected to the two telescopingsupports and extending therebetween, and a pivotable molding mountedpivotable relative to the cross member and located in the gap betweenthe right top portion and the left top portion, and a latch releaseoperatively connected to the pivotable molding.

An embodiment of the present invention also contemplates a supplementaltailgate assembly for use with a vehicle tailgate having a left topportion and a spaced right top portion that define a gap therebetween.The supplemental tailgate assembly may include a guide system adapted tobe secured generally within the tailgate, and a frame assembly havingtwo telescoping supports extendable from and retained by the guidesystem, a cross member connected to the two telescoping supports andextending therebetween and including two spaced pivot mounts thereon.The supplemental tailgate assembly may also include a pivotable moldinghaving two pivot flanges extending therefrom that operatively engage thetwo spaced pivot mounts such that the pivotable molding is mounted onand pivotable relative to the cross member and adapted to be located inthe gap between the right top portion and the left top portion, and alatch release operatively connected to the pivotable molding.

An advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that a portionof the tailgate molding can be employed to operate as a supplementaltailgate release handle while also avoiding paint scratch concerns onthe top surface of the tailgate. This avoids the need for a separatesupplemental tailgate release handle assembly and molding, thus reducingthe number of parts in the tailgate assembly, reducing the overallcosts, and reducing the overall package space within the tailgate neededto perform both functions. Avoiding a separate supplemental tailgaterelease handle by having the supplemental tailgate release built intothe pivotable portion of the tailgate molding has another advantage-thetooling that is used to produce many of the metal parts for theconventional tailgates may also be used for the same metal parts on thetailgates that include the supplemental tailgate.

Another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that thesupplemental tailgate, when in its retracted position during times ofnonuse, will not be noticed by the ordinary observer, and therefore,will not detract from the attractiveness of the vehicle. Moreover, itcan closely match the look of tailgates for similar trucks that do nothave a supplemental tailgate, thus allowing for essentially the sameappearance across that particular line of trucks. This also may reduceopportunities for theft of the system.

A further advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is thatthe supplemental tailgate handle is easy to reach and operate, no matterwhat positions the tailgate and supplemental tailgate are in. Moreover,the supplemental tailgate handle is spaced from the conventionaltailgate release handle, avoiding unnecessary complications in thetailgate release handle and mechanism, while allowing both to beergonomically located for ease of operation.

An additional advantage of an embodiment of the present invention isthat the highly ergonomic and esthetically pleasing supplementaltailgate assembly still allows for a multi-function bed extender. Thissupplemental tailgate assembly can be moved to different positions inorder to be employed to extend the bed, extend the box, and operate asan assist step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle incorporating a tailgate,with the tailgate shown in a generally horizontal open position, inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the tailgate as it would beoriented in a generally vertical closed position on a vehicle, and withthe pivotable molding in its latch engaged position, in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view similar to FIG. 2, but with thepivotable molding in its latch disengaged position.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the tailgate, but with the tailgateframe outer panel not shown, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear exploded perspective view of the tailgate frame,without side moldings shown, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective, partially sectioned view of thesupplemental tailgate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating encircled area 7 inFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective, partially sectioned view similar to FIG.6, but with the section cut taken at a different location.

FIG. 9 is a view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating encircled area 9 inFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a release lever in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a movable frame portion of thesupplemental tailgate, but without the guide brackets illustrated, inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the movable frame portion, similarto FIG. 11, but without the lock rod assemblies illustrated.

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of the supplemental tailgate inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side, partial sectional view of the pivotable molding andrelease lever according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the pivotable molding and releaselever of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-13 illustrate a tailgate 20 that mounts to a vehicle24—preferably a pickup truck. The tailgate 20 includes a supplementaltailgate 22 mounted therein. The vehicle 24 includes a box 26 that isdefined by a left rear quarter panel 28, which forms a first verticalsurface of the box 26; a right rear quarter panel 30, which forms asecond vertical surface of the box 28; a bed 32, which extends betweenthe two panels 28, 30 to form a cargo floor; and the tailgate 20, whichis pivotable between a generally vertical closed position and agenerally horizontal open position.

The tailgate 20 includes a pair of conventional tailgate hinges 34 (asbest seen in FIG. 5) that cooperate with the side panels 28, 30, and apair of tailgate supports 36, which support the tailgate 20 when in itshorizontal position. A tailgate handle 35 mounts to an outer panel 38,and functions in a conventional manner. The tailgate release mechanismand handle 35, as well as tailgate latches, are conventional and wellknown in the art and so are not shown herein for clarity in describingthe present invention. The tailgate 20 is comprised of a tailgate frame37 including the outer panel 38, which forms the outer finished surfaceof the tailgate 20, and a tailgate frame inner panel 40, which mounts tothe outer panel 38 and forms the inner surface and sides 42 of thetailgate 20. The outer panel 38 and inner panel 40 combine to form apair of upper surfaces 41 with a gap 43 therebetween. A tailgatereinforcement strainer 44, tailgate reinforcement panel 46, and tailgatereinforcement channel 48 mount and provide structural support to theframe outer and inner panels 38, 40. A left tailgate molding 50 and aright tailgate molding 52 mount on top of the upper surfaces 41. Theymay be made of colored plastic that is the desired color of the parts;this eliminates the need to paint them. In this way, the tailgatemoldings 50, 52 will help to prevent paint scratches on metal parts whencargo is being loaded over the top of a closed tailgate 20.

The components that make up the tailgate frame 37 are formed so that ahollow internal cavity is created. Within this cavity, the supplementaltailgate 22 is retained. The supplemental tailgate 22 includes apivotable molding 54, a movable frame portion 56 (best seen in FIG. 8),and guide rails 58. The guide rails 58 are hollow, generally rectangulartubes that are fixed to the tailgate frame 37 and support the movableframe portion 56 as it is telescopically extended from and retractedinto the guide rails 58.

Each guide rail 58 includes pivot brackets 64 mounted on top thatcooperate with the movable frame portion 56 to allow for both pivotingof the movable frame portion 56 relative to the tailgate 20 andpreventing the movable frame portion 56 from being separated from theguide rails 58. The pivot brackets 64 may be fastened to thereinforcement channel 48 and the bottoms of the guide rails 58 to theinner panel 40 in order to help secure the guide rails 58 to thetailgate 20.

The movable frame portion 56 includes a pair of support tubes 62 thatare each received telescopically in a respective one of the guide rails58. Each of the guide rails 58 may include a block spacer 55 mountedtherein against which the support tubes 62 can slide. The block spacers55 may be formed of plastic to minimize potential scratching of thesupport tubes 62 as they slide relative to the guide rails 58. Each ofthe support tubes 62 includes a hinge pin 66 that cooperates with slots65 in the pivot brackets 64, when fully extended, in order to allow forpivoting of the movable frame portion 56 relative to the guide rails 58while still allowing the guide rails 58 to retain and support thesupport tubes 62. The hinge pins 66 may be secured to the support tubesby welding, interference fit, or some other suitable means. Each of thesupport tubes 62 also connects to a corresponding one of the latchingassemblies 60. The latching assemblies 60 releasably fix the supporttubes 62 to a certain limited number of telescopically extendedpositions relative to the guide rails 58. When extended out partially,the guide rails 58 will hold the support tubes 62 parallel to it, thuscreating a longer effective bed for the truck when the tailgate 20 is inits horizontal position.

Each of the movable frame portion's support tubes 62 are hollow so theycan receive a respective one of the two latching assemblies 60 therein.More specifically, latch housings 78 extend through each of the supporttubes 62 and connect, at their upper ends, to the lower ends of latchactuation rods 80 via retainer barrels 81. The upper ends of the latchactuation rods 80 are secured, via retaining clips 83, to release levers82, which are part of the pivotable molding 54, in order to form arelease hinge 84.

Even though, for some features of the supplemental tailgate 22, only thefeature on the left or right side is shown, the supplemental tailgate 22is generally symmetrical right to left, so the opposite side is just themirror image of the feature shown on that first side. Accordingly, forthe description herein, if the feature is shown on only a first side,the feature on the second, opposite side is presumed to be the mirrorimage of the feature shown on the first side.

The lower ends of the latch housings 78 connect to latch return springs85, which, in turn, are connected to the hinge pins 66. Also connectedto the hinge pins 66 are linear guides 89. The linear guides 89 mayinclude sliders 91, which provide for surface contact with the inside ofthe guide rails 58. Alternatively, the linear guides and sliders may bereplaced with roller guides and rollers (not shown) in order to providea more smooth feeling motion when extending and retracting the supporttubes 62 relative to the guide rails.

Each of the latch housings 78 also includes a longitudinally extendingslot 93, within which is mounted a respective one of two latch blades87. Each latch blade 87 is biased into its corresponding slot 93 by alatch blade spring 95. The springs 95 cause retention tabs 96,protruding from the latch blades 87, to extend through correspondingholes 97 in the support tubes 62. Also, when aligned, the retention tabs96 are biased by the springs 95 to extend through engagement slots 98 inthe guide rails 58 and through engagement slots 61 in insert plates 59.The insert plates may be secured to their respective guide rails 58 bydetent covers 57. The engagement slots 61, 98 may be longer than thewidth of the corresponding retention tabs 96 and the insert plates 59adjustable relative to their corresponding detent covers 57 in order toallow for small adjustments in the position of the support tubes 62relative to the guide rails 58. This small adjustability may allow oneto make sure that the top of the pivotable molding 54 is flush with thetops of the tailgate moldings 50, 52 when the supplemental tailgate 22is in its stowed position. Each latch housing 78 also includes internalflanges 99, located within the slot 93, that engage with release ramps100 on the latch blade 87.

The movable frame portion 56 also includes a cross member assembly 68that connects to the tops of the support tubes 62. The cross memberassembly 68 includes a pair of cross members 69 a and 69 b, postbrackets 71 and lock rod brackets 67 that form a support frame 70. Thecross member assembly 68 also includes a pair of hollow tubes 72 and sixpivot mounts 73 mounted on the support frame 70.

The support frame 70 may be formed strong enough to support the weightof one or more people standing on it. This way, when the movable frameportion 56 is extended out and pivoted downward toward the ground, thesupport frame 70 may be used as a step.

The hollow tubes 72 each telescopically receive a respective one of twolock rod assemblies 74, which each have pivot hinges 75 at one end of arod 126 and lock rod latches 76 at the far ends. The pivot hinges 75allow the lock rod assemblies 74 to be extended toward the truck so thatthe lock rod latches 76 can hook to supports 79 on the truck box 26 inorder to allow the movable frame portion 56 to be held in its uprightposition, thus creating a box extender.

The pivot mounts 73 connect to and mount the pivotable molding 54 abouta pivot axis 77. More specifically, the pivotable molding 54 may beformed from plastic, or other suitable material, such as, for example, athirty percent glass filled polypropylene. The release levers 82 may bemolded into the pivotable molding 54 while it is being formed or affixedthereto after forming by, for example, friction welding. Each releaselever 82 includes a base 86 that is adjacent to the pivotable molding54, a pivot flange 88 extending from one end of the base 86, and arelease flange 90 extending from the other end. Each pivot flange 88pivotally mounts about one of the pivot mounts 73 and is secured with ahinge rod 92. The pivot flange 88, then, will allow the pivotablemolding 54 to pivot about the pivot axis 77. Each release flange 90 isoffset from the pivot axis 77 and is connected to one of the latchactuation rods 80. Thus, when the pivotable molding 54 is pivoted, therelease flanges 90 will pull up on the latch actuation rods 80. Thelatching assemblies 60 unlatch, allowing the support tubes 62 to sliderelative to the guide rails 58, when the latch actuation rods 80 arepulled upwards, and re-engage when the latch actuation rods 80 arereleased.

The pivotable molding 54 may be molded with the plastic being thedesired final color so that it does not have to be painted. Thepivotable molding 54 may also include a handle pocket 94 that is moldedinto the rear surface of the pivotable molding 54. The handle pocket 94provides for ease of gripping and pivoting the pivotable molding 54 whendeploying the supplemental tailgate 22. The pivotable molding 54 alsomay have an overall width that is just smaller than the gap 43 formedbetween the two tailgate moldings 50, 52, and has a top surface that isflush with the top surfaces of the two tailgate moldings 50, 52.Additionally, if so desired, the two tailgate moldings 50, 52 mayinclude recessed flanges (not shown) that nest under the edges of thepivotable molding 54. Accordingly, the supplemental tailgate 22, when inits fully retracted position, will blend-in with the tailgate 20, havingan appearance that is very similar to a tailgate that does not include asupplemental tailgate. Thus, the supplemental tailgate 22 can beincluded without detracting from the esthetically pleasing look of thevehicle, and, moreover, the pivotable molding 54 will still allow forcargo to be slid into and out of the box 26 over the top of a closedtailgate 20 without creating paint scratch concerns.

The operation of the supplemental tailgate 22 will now be described. Thesupplemental tailgate 22 may be easily released from its stowed positionwithin the tailgate 20 while the tailgate 20 is in its open or closedposition. Although, for the most advantageous use of the supplementaltailgate functions, the tailgate 20 will be in its horizontal openposition. One may, if so desired, employ an extra latching mechanism(not shown) that may only allow release of the supplemental tailgate 22when the tailgate is in its horizontal position.

To deploy the supplemental tailgate 20 from its stowed position, onegrasps the pivotable molding 54 and pivots it relative to the pivot axis77. This will cause the release flanges 90 to pull up on the latchactuation rods 80, which, in turn, will pull up on the latch housings 78against the bias of the latch return springs 85. As the latch housings78 move upward, the internal flanges 99 slide along the release ramps100, which causes the latch blades 87 to begin sliding against the biasof the latch blade springs 95. As the latch blades 87 slide outward, theretention tabs 96 slide out of the engagement slots 61, 98, thusreleasing the movable frame portion 56 and allowing it to slide relativeto the guide rails 58. Springs (not shown) may be provided to bias themovable frame portion 56 away from the tailgate frame 37 when thelatching assemblies 60 are released, but are not necessary for operationof this invention.

One then pulls on the supplemental tailgate 22 to telescopically slidethe support tubes 62 relative to the guide rails 58, while allowing thepivotable molding 54 to pivot back into its latch engaged position. Oncethe movable frame portion 56 is slid out to a predetermined extendedposition relative to the tailgate 20, the retention tabs 96 on the lowerend of the latch blades 87 will engage an engagement slot 53 orengagement slot 61 (depending upon how far the support tubes 62 are slidprior to releasing the pivotable molding 54), thus fixing the movableframe portion 56 relative to the guide rails 58. Also, at one of theseextended positions, the support tubes 62 still remain partially withinthe guide rails 58 so that the two will not pivot relative to oneanother. With the tailgate 20 in its horizontal open position, thesupplemental tailgate 22 is now in its bed extender position. While onlya limited number of bed extender positions are discussed herein, thesupplemental tailgate 22 may have additional bed extender positions byproviding additional engagement slots, if so desired.

The pivotable molding 54 may then be pivoted again to release thelatching assemblies 60 once more. One may then pull the supplementaltailgate 22 out to its fully extended position relative to the opentailgate 20. In this fully extended position, the support tubes 62 willbe pulled out of the guide rails 58, with the hinge pins 66 engaged inthe slots 65 of the pivot brackets 64.

The movable frame portion 56, from its fully extended position, may bepivoted into a downward extending vertical position to serve as a step,with the support frame 70 acting as the step. In this downward position,the pivotable molding 54 is on the underside of the movable frameportion 56, so it will not be stepped-on and damaged by the operator.Also, the support tubes 62 may be short enough that the pivotablemolding 54 is spaced above the ground upon which the vehicle isstanding. In this way, the molding 54 will not be scraped or damaged bycontact with the ground, and the support frame 70, being higher off ofthe ground, will provide a better assist step function.

The movable frame portion 56, from its fully extended position, can alsobe pivoted upward into an upward extending vertical position, to serveas a box extender. The lock rod assemblies 74 are deployed and latchedonto the hook supports 79 on the box 26 in order to hold the movableframe portion 56 in the upright position. The hook supports 79 may bejust the existing pin strikers that are normally used to hold thetailgate 20 in its closed position. In this way, the vehicle 24 isessentially the same, with the only difference being whether aconventional tailgate or the tailgate 20 of the present invention ismounted on the vehicle 24.

Performing the deployment operation generally in reverse will allow oneto easily stow and latch the supplemental tailgate 22 back into thetailgate 20. Hence, an easy to operate and ergonomic supplementaltailgate 22 is provided for the vehicle 24.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention.This embodiment is very similar to the first, but with the pivotablemolding 54′ and the release lever 82′ modified somewhat. The pivotablemolding 54′ is now shaped with an inwardly curved portion 94′ along mostof its length that serves as the handle pocket. The extra length may bemore convenient for one grabbing the pivotable molding 54′ to pivot it.Handle beads 49 also may be provided along some or all of the outersurface of the pivotable molding 54′ in order to aid in gripping andpivoting the pivotable molding 54′. Also, the spaced release levers ofthe first embodiment are now replaced with a single larger release lever82′. The release lever 82′ still includes the pivot flange 88′, whichconnects to the pivot mounts 73 (not shown in FIGS. 14 and 15), and therelease flanges 90′, which connect to the latch actuation rods 80 (alsonot shown in FIGS. 14 and 15). For this release lever 82′ and pivotablemolding 54′ combination, each may be formed separately and thenvibration welded together. Although, other techniques of securing themtogether may be employed, if so desired.

While certain example embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail, those familiar with the art to which this inventionrelates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments forpracticing the invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle having a pair ofspaced, generally vertical side walls and a generally horizontal bedextending therebetween, the tailgate assembly comprising: a tailgateframe including a rear panel and a front panel adapted to pivotallymount generally between the side walls and being operable in a generallyhorizontal open position, and with the tailgate frame including a lefttop portion and a spaced right top portion that define a gaptherebetween; and a supplemental tailgate including a guide systemsecured generally between the rear panel and the front panel, a frameassembly having two telescoping supports extendable from and retained bythe guide system, a cross member connected to the two telescopingsupports and extending therebetween, and a pivotable molding mounted onand pivotable relative to the cross member and located in the gapbetween the right top portion and the left top portion, and a latchrelease operatively connected to the pivotable molding.
 2. The tailgateassembly of claim 1 wherein the guide system includes two hollow guidetubes, with each of the telescoping supports mounted in andtelescopically movable relative to a respective one of the guide tubes.3. The tailgate assembly of claim 2 further including two pivotbrackets, each having a pivot slot, with one of each of the pivotbrackets mounted on a respective one of the guide tubes; and two pivotpins, one each secured to a respective one of the telescoping supports,whereby when the telescoping supports are essentially fully removed fromthe guide tubes, the pivot pins will engage with the pivot slots tosecure each telescoping support to the respective guide tube whileallowing the telescoping supports to pivot relative to the guide tubes.4. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein the cross member includestwo spaced pivot mounts and the pivotable molding includes a releaselever vibrationally welded thereto, with the release lever including twopivot flanges operatively engaging a respective one of the two spacedpivot mounts.
 5. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivotablemolding includes a top surface, and the supplemental tailgate has astowed position wherein the top surface of the pivotable molding isflush with the left top portion and the right top portion.
 6. Thetailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein the left top portion includes aleft tailgate molding and the right top portion includes a righttailgate molding.
 7. The tailgate assembly of claim 6 wherein thepivotable molding includes a top surface, and the supplemental tailgatehas a stowed position wherein the top surface of the pivotable moldingis flush with the left tailgate molding and the right tailgate molding.8. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivotable moldingincludes handle beads extending therefrom.
 9. The tailgate assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the cross member includes two spaced pivot mounts andthe pivotable molding includes two release levers, with each releaselever including a pivot flange operatively engaging a respective one ofthe two spaced pivot mounts.
 10. The tailgate assembly of claim 9wherein the telescoping supports are hollow, each release lever includesa release flange, and the latch release assembly includes two latchactuation rods, with each one of the latch actuation rods extendingwithin a respective one of the telescoping supports and operativelyengaging a respective one of the release flanges.
 11. The tailgateassembly of claim 1 wherein the pivotable molding includes a handlepocket.
 12. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein the guide systemincludes a pivot support and the telescoping supports include pivotersthat cooperate with the pivot support to allow the telescoping supportsto rotate upward to a generally vertical orientation when thetelescoping supports are substantially fully extended from the guidesystem and the tailgate is oriented in the generally horizontal openposition.
 13. The tailgate assembly of claim 12 further including a lockrod assembly adapted to extend and be secured between the cross memberand at least one of the vertical side walls to secure the telescopingsupports in the generally vertical orientation.
 14. The tailgateassembly of claim 1 wherein the guide system includes a pivot supportand the telescoping supports include pivoters that cooperate with thepivot support to allow the telescoping supports to rotate downward to agenerally vertical orientation when the telescoping supports aresubstantially fully extended from the guide system and the tailgate isoriented in the generally horizontal open position.
 15. The tailgateassembly of claim 14 wherein the vehicle is adapted to rest on a groundsurface and the telescoping supports are a predetermined length suchthat the pivotable molding is adapted to be spaced from the groundsurface when the telescoping supports are rotated downward to thegenerally vertical orientation.
 16. A supplemental tailgate assembly foruse with a vehicle tailgate having a left top portion and a spaced righttop portion that define a gap therebetween, the supplemental tailgateassembly comprising: a guide system adapted to be secured generallywithin the tailgate; a frame assembly having two telescoping supportsextendable from and retained by the guide system, a cross memberconnected to the two telescoping supports and extending therebetween andincluding two spaced pivot mounts thereon; a pivotable molding havingtwo pivot flanges extending therefrom that operatively engage the twospaced pivot mounts such that the pivotable molding is mounted on andpivotable relative to the cross member and adapted to be located in thegap between the right top portion and the left top portion; and a latchrelease operatively connected to the pivotable molding.
 17. Thesupplemental tailgate assembly of claim 16 wherein the telescopingsupports are hollow, each release lever includes a release flange, andthe latch release assembly includes two latch actuation rods, with eachone of the latch actuation rods extending within a respective one of thetelescoping supports and operatively engaging a respective one of therelease flanges.
 18. The supplemental tailgate assembly of claim 17wherein the guide system includes two hollow guide tubes, with each ofthe telescoping supports mounted in and telescopically movable relativeto a respective one of the guide tubes.
 19. A tailgate assembly for usewith a motor vehicle having a pair of spaced, generally vertical sidewalls and a generally horizontal bed extending therebetween, thetailgate assembly comprising: a tailgate frame including a rear paneland a front panel adapted to pivotally mount generally between the sidewalls and being operable in a generally horizontal open position, andwith the tailgate frame including a left top portion and a spaced righttop portion that define a gap therebetween; and a supplemental tailgateincluding a guide system secured generally between the rear panel andthe front panel and including two pivot brackets, with each having apivot slot, mounted thereon; a frame assembly having two telescopingsupports extendable from and retained by the guide system and includingtwo pivot pins, one each secured to a respective one of the telescopingsupports, whereby when the telescoping supports are essentially fullyremoved from the guide tubes, the pivot pins will engage with the pivotslots to secure each telescoping support to the respective guide tubewhile allowing the telescoping supports to pivot relative to the guidetubes; a cross member connected to the two telescoping supports andextending therebetween; a pivotable molding mounted on and pivotablerelative to the cross member and located in the gap between the righttop portion and the left top portion; and a latch release operativelyconnected to the pivotable molding.
 20. The tailgate assembly of claim19 further including a latching assembly operatively engaging the latchrelease and contained substantially within one of the two telescopingsupports.